Quintessential Modern Movie Soundtracks

Utilizing the recent Rankography's Best Movie Soundtracks Composite Ranking list as inspiration, I felt compelled to highlight my top modern (post 1990s) soundtracks. For me, the best soundtracks manage to play like a favorite mixtape: While each song should contribute to the picture as viewed, the album should also stand alone as an exciting auditory experience.

Three contemporary directors stand-out as having keen taste in music: Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola and Quentin Tarantio. While many directors may not be involved with the soundtrack process (typically giving music directors 'free rein' to produce), it is clear that Anderson, Coppola and Tarantino have had strong direct and/or indirect influence at crafting their movie's musical experience. (And, why not given the strong (emotional, intellectual) impact music can have on the story?) Therefore, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite soundtracks from each of these auteurs.

Wes Anderson/Rushmore (1999): Rushmore is my favorite soundtrack of all time; great for almost any occasion, though highly recommended for road tripping cross country. While the original Rushmore soundtrack concept = 100% The Kinks, the final version included one Kinks track with a number of fantastic 1960's and 1970's songs. Most of the songs are by well-known bands - Faces, Chad & Jeremy, John Lennon, Cat Stevens, The Who - with some lesser-known artists - Unit 4 + 2, The Creation and Zoot Sims. Moreover, Mark Mothersbraugh's score elements are effortlessly woven within the 60's/70's pop music.

Other great Wes Anderson Soundtracks: The Royal Tenenbaums, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Sofia Coppola/Marie Antoinette (2006): Marie Antoinette is a double-disc with amazing musical range: rock and electronic atmospheric music, 1980s new wave and post punk rock/pop, with a dash of period baroque pieces. The music - specifically the 1980s stuff - juxtaposed with the film elements (18th century France) is aesthetically brilliant. The Maria Antoinette film teaser-trailer (Age of Consent, New Order) is my vote for the most innovative and interesting use of music in a recent trailer.

Other great Sofia Coppola Soundtracks: Lost in Translation, The Virgin Suicides

Quentin Tarantino/Grind House, Deathproof (2007): A while ago I caught the Sundance Channel's ICONOCLASTS with Tarantino and Fiona Apple. Given Apple's musical background, lots of the conversation revolved around Tarantino's extreme passion for music (and extensive vinyl collection). This is not surprising; the Pulp Fiction soundtrack seemed to revitalize the soundtrack genre in the mid 90s. The Deathproof soundtrack may be lesser know but is just as genius. Tarantino continues his trend of including audio clips from the film and focusing on just plain cool rock songs (mainly 60's and 70's). Some high points include: Jeepster (British Glam Rock Band T-Rex), Down in Mexico (The Coasters), Baby it's You (Smith (not The Smiths)) and Staggolee (Pacific Gas & Electric).

Other great Quentin Tarantino Soundtracks: Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Inglourious Basterds, Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Kill Bill Vol. 2

You can check-out Rankography for a full composite list of Movie Soundtracks and more...